Derry Airport: Northern Ireland's Gateway To The World?

is derry airport in northern ireland

The City of Derry Airport (CoDA) is located 7 miles northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. It is the closest major airport to Derry, serving as the main gateway for the entire North West of Ireland. The airport has partnerships with several airlines, including Loganair, easyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways, and offers flights to various destinations across the UK and beyond.

Characteristics Values
Name City of Derry Airport
Previous Names RAF Eglinton, Londonderry Eglinton Airport
Airport Code LDY
Location 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland
Airlines Loganair, easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Volotea, Joe Walsh Tours, Topflight for Schools, Sports Entertainment Tours, Travel Solutions
Destinations London Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Lourdes, Verona, Alicante, Birmingham, and more
Annual Passenger Numbers 179,095 (2024); 438,996 (peak in 2008)
Funding Sources Irish Government, British Government, Derry City Council, Northern Ireland Executive

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City of Derry Airport's location

The City of Derry Airport (CoDA) is located in Northern Ireland, just 7 miles (around 11 km) northeast of Derry (or Derry~Londonderry) and is positioned centrally between the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way. The airport is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre and is easily accessible via the main A2 road.

Previously known as RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport, the City of Derry Airport has its origins in World War II when it served as an air base for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The airport is located on the south bank of Lough Foyle, a short distance from the village of Eglinton.

The airport serves as the main gateway to the North West of Ireland, providing flights and holiday packages to various destinations across the UK and beyond. It partners with several airlines, including Loganair, easyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways, offering direct services to London Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Lourdes, and Verona.

In addition to its role as a regional airport, the City of Derry Airport has also received funding from both the British and Irish governments, recognising its importance for the region. The airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years, with a peak of 438,996 passengers in 2008, and a decline in recent years due to various factors.

The City of Derry Airport is conveniently located near several renowned World Heritage sites, such as the Causeway Coastal Route and the Giant's Causeway. It also provides easy access to County Donegal, known for its outstanding natural beauty, and the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way touring route along the west coast of Ireland.

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Airlines that operate from the airport

City of Derry Airport, previously known as RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport, is located 7 miles northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. The airport has experienced a decline in passenger numbers in recent years, with 179,095 passengers recorded in 2024, down from a peak of 438,996 in 2008.

The airport currently serves as a base for the Scottish regional airline Loganair, which operates domestic flights to other parts of the UK. Loganair has a long history with the airport, having introduced the first scheduled flight between Derry and Glasgow in 1979. In 2019, Loganair resumed operations to Glasgow and added a new service to Manchester, although flights to Manchester were ended in early 2020. Loganair currently offers direct flights to London Heathrow, Glasgow, and Liverpool from Derry.

Other airlines that operate from the airport include Ryanair, easyJet, and Volotea. Ryanair has served the airport since 2009 when it commenced flights to Alicante in Spain. In 2014, Ryanair axed its services to Alicante and Birmingham, followed by its service to Faro in 2016. In 2017, Ryanair cancelled its daily service to London Stansted, and in 2020, the airline was forced to axe all flights from the UK to non-EU destinations, including UK domestic routes. Despite these cancellations, Ryanair still offers direct flights to Edinburgh and Manchester from Derry.

EasyJet also has a presence at the airport, offering direct flights from Edinburgh and Liverpool to Derry. In addition to these airlines, the City of Derry Airport's website lists partnerships with Joe Walsh Tours, Topflight for Schools, and Sports Entertainment Tours. These partnerships provide direct services and holiday packages to various destinations, including London Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Lourdes, and Verona. The airport also offers single-ticket international connections to 119 destinations across 56 countries.

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Destinations served by the airport

City of Derry Airport, previously known as RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport, is located 7 miles northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. The airport is currently a base for the Scottish regional airline Loganair, which operates domestic flights to other parts of the UK.

Over the years, the airport has served various destinations across the UK and Europe. In 1967, Emerald Airways began operating a service to Glasgow, and in 1979, Loganair introduced the first scheduled flight between Derry and Glasgow. This route was eventually dropped due to rising fuel costs. In 2010, Ryanair announced its first continental route from Derry to Alicante, Spain. Other destinations served by Ryanair from Derry have included Birmingham, Faro, and London Stansted. However, due to various factors, these routes were discontinued.

As of 2021, Loganair operates routes to Liverpool and Edinburgh, having resumed flights to Glasgow in 2018. In December 2021, Ryanair returned to the airport with a new service to Manchester. Loganair also added a new route to Edinburgh in May 2022. Additionally, the airport has partnered with other airlines, such as easyJet, to provide direct services and holiday packages to destinations like London Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Lourdes, and Verona.

The airport serves as a gateway to the North West of Ireland and provides connections to 119 destinations across 56 countries through single-ticket international connections. It is located on the main A2 road, linking it to several UK and Continental destinations.

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History of the airport

City of Derry Airport, previously known as Londonderry Eglinton Airport, is located in Northern Ireland. The airport is situated about seven miles from Derry and 50 miles from Belfast. It is the main airport serving the north-west region of Ireland and is the most northerly airport in Ireland. The airport has a long and interesting history, dating back to the early 20th century.

The History of the Airport:

The airport was first established in 1939 as a Royal Air Force (RAF) base called RAF Eglinton. It was constructed as a training base for the RAF and served during World War II as a base for anti-submarine patrols and air-sea rescue operations. In 1945, with the end of the war, the RAF presence at Eglinton diminished, and the airfield was transferred to the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, becoming a civilian airport.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the airport underwent significant development, with the construction of a new terminal building, control tower, and other facilities. It was during this time that the airport was renamed Londonderry Eglinton Airport. Despite these improvements, the airport experienced a decline in traffic and faced financial difficulties. However, with the introduction of jet aircraft and the development of the local economy, the airport began to thrive again in the 1970s.

In 1980, the airport was renamed City of Derry Airport to emphasize its proximity to Derry and to attract more passengers from the city and the surrounding areas. This move proved successful, and the airport continued to grow, with new routes and increased passenger numbers. During the 1990s, the airport underwent further expansion and improvement works, including the extension of the runway and the construction of a new terminal building.

The new millennium saw the introduction of international flights from the airport, with the first scheduled services to Spain commencing in 2003. This was followed by the introduction of flights to other European destinations, including Majorca and Faro. In recent years, the airport has continued to develop and improve its facilities, with a focus on enhancing the passenger experience and attracting new airlines and routes. Today, City of Derry Airport is a modern and efficient airport, serving both domestic and international destinations.

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Funding for the airport

The City of Derry Airport, previously known as RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport, is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. The airport has experienced a decline in passenger numbers in recent years, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and underfunding.

In 2020, the airport received financial support from the Northern Ireland Executive and the Secretary of State for Transport to cover all operational costs and maintain vital connectivity during the pandemic. The airport also received funding from the Irish Government for a £19 million runway upgrade in 2008, enabling the announcement of its first continental route to Alicante, Spain.

In 2021, the Derry City and Strabane District Council requested £15 million in funding from the NI Executive, spread over six years, to help maintain the commercial viability of the airport. The council warned that the airport could become a \"severe financial risk\" if funding could not be secured. The council's chief executive, John Kelpie, expressed concerns about the lack of progress and the potential impact on other capital projects.

The Department for Economy stated that they do not have the legal power to fund airports. However, the Departments for Finance and Infrastructure recognised the strategic importance of the airport to the north-west region. The council has been told that ministers have agreed to meet and discuss the business case, but no positive outcome has been announced as of 2021.

The City of Derry Airport has also partnered with airlines such as Loganair, easyJet, and Ryanair, which provide direct services to various destinations in the UK and beyond. These partnerships contribute to the airport's funding and development.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, the City of Derry Airport is located in Northern Ireland.

The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry.

Airlines that operate from Derry Airport include Loganair, easyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways.

Derry Airport provides flights to various destinations across the UK and beyond, including London Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham.

The airport code for Derry Airport is LDY.

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